Chapter 81 – A Long Thursday part 2 (long)
"Gran." Jack said. "Elizabeth said she would help you today."
"Thank you." Gran said. "Everything okay?"
"It will be." Jack said. "Please trust me."
"I do." Gran said. "I just am not sure what you have planned. Just so you know, I have seen some of the things that the Kensingtons have written online."
"Ignore them." Jack said. "Nothing is going to happen to Elizabeth."
Gran just gave Jack a look and then shook her head.
"Come on, Dear." Gran said. "We have a lot to do."
A few moments later, Jack and Nathan were on their way to the stable.
"Are you really planning what I think you are planning?" Nathan asked when they were half way across the yard.
"Why not?" Jack said. "They can't legally get a marriage license without Elizabeth's signature. If they get one, we know it is fake. It doesn't change my plans. I am going to ask Elizabeth to marry me, it just might be sooner rather than later. I have the rings."
Nathan stopped and looked at Jack.
"What do you mean you have the rings?" Nathan asked.
"I ordered them and they were part of what was delivered yesterday." Jack said. "I have an engagement and wedding set for Elizabeth and a matching wedding band for me."
"Seriously?" Nathan asked.
Jack pulled out his phone, pulled up the pictures and handed his phone to Nathan. Nathan flipped back and forth between the pictures for a few moments.
"Wow." Nathan said. "That is gorgeous. She is going to love it. I love the blue with her eyes."
"That was what I was thinking." Jack said. "I also love how this honors my heritage with the Celtic knots."
"It is amazing." Nathan said. "So where is it?"
"In the safe in my room." Jack said. "Don't say anything, the only one that knows is Father Mark."
"I won't say anything." Nathan said. "But what was that other set of rings?"
"Promise rings." Jack said. "I got those just in case she is hesitant to get engaged. There is one for each of us. I even had our initials engraved on the inside. I will give her that regardless, but I am really hoping to go right for the engagement ring and a quick wedding."
"So what are you planning?" Nathan asked.
"I don't know yet." Jack said. "I need to have a conversation with Elizabeth first."
"Okay." Nathan said. "Let me know if I can do anything to help."
"Of course." Jack said. "We should probably get going. It looks like Doug is ready to ride."
Nathan looked down to the sand ring and saw Doug sitting on Ghost.
"Glad he is doing better." Nathan said.
"Me too." Jack said.
Nathan and Jack got to the stable and quickly changed.
… … … …
After the boys left, Gran turned to Elizabeth.
"Are you alright?" Gran asked.
"I think so." Elizabeth said. "I trust Jack, I don't know what he is up to, but I trust him."
"I wouldn't be surprised if he asked you to marry him." Gran said.
Elizabeth was left there spluttering. Gran realized what she said when she turned and saw the shocked look on Elizabeth's face. Gran came over and led Elizabeth to a seat at the counter.
"Take a deep breath." Gran said. "What is wrong? I didn't mean to shock you, especially since both of you have said that you want to spend your lives together."
"I just thought we would finish school and stuff first." Elizabeth managed to get out.
Gran just laughed.
"Dear." Gran said. "Don't take this the wrong way, but there is no way that grandson of mine is going to wait four or five years to marry you. Not with the way that he looks at you."
Elizabeth just looked at Gran and shook her head.
"Let me ask you this." Gran said. "Do you love him?"
"Yes." Elizabeth said.
"Do you want to marry him and spend a lifetime together?" Gran asked.
"Yes." Elizabeth said.
"Then what is stopping you if he asks?" Gran asked.
"We are too young." Elizabeth said.
"That is just something that people say when they want you to wait." Gran said. "What else?"
"What about school?" Elizabeth asked.
"Last time I checked." Gran said. "You can still go to school after you are married."
"Jack won't want me to stay home?" Elizabeth asked.
"JP would want you to be happy." Gran said. "He knows that you have dreams and he wouldn't stand in your way. JP would never force you or want you to feel pressured, but I am certain that he will be asking you sooner rather than later."
"Really?" Elizabeth asked.
"Really." Gran said. "He looks at you with total love and devotion, as it should be."
"What about money?" Elizabeth asked.
"You two will be fine." Gran said.
"What about his parents?" Elizabeth asked. "They will never allow it."
"You are adults and don't need anyone's permission." Gran said. "But just in case you didn't know, JP stood up to Thomas and Charlotte last night. He basically told them that he was going to live his life the way he wanted and if they didn't like or agree with it then they could butt out, permanently. He easily chose you over everything else."
"I didn't know." Elizabeth said. "I mean I heard some of the yelling, but I really couldn't make out much. So I just put my headphones back on."
"I am sure that JP will talk to you about things later." Gran said. "If he doesn't, you make a point of talking to him and getting him to talk to you. James tabled the discussion until after the weekend, but according to JP, there is nothing left to discuss. He gave his parents papers last night cutting them from having access to his accounts and things like that."
Elizabeth's eyes got huge.
"Accounts?" Elizabeth said.
"Yes." Gran said. "In case you haven't figured it out, JP is very wealthy, independent of his parents."
"I guess I didn't realize that." Elizabeth said.
"You better?" Gran asked. "I will also tell you that JP doesn't really care about the money. He has said, money comes and money goes; it is not what is important. I will also tell you that JP is really good at making money, despite not caring about it."
Elizabeth nodded as she was still processing some information.
"Good." Gran said. "We have plenty to do."
Gran went back to getting things ready to do more baking. It took Elizabeth a few moments before she joined Gran. Elizabeth tried to put out of her mind what they had talked about and focus on what they were doing. They were making some desserts for supper with the employees.
… … … …
After getting changed, Jack quickly saddled Bandit while Nathan saddled Athena.
"So nice of you to join us." Lee teased.
Jack just stuck out his tongue at Lee and ruffled his hair as he went by. They were working on flat work and not really jumping.
"Actually." Nathan said. "I wouldn't mind jumping Athena over at least a couple of jumps."
"I will set up a few for you." Lee said.
"Preliminary height." Nathan called.
Lee gave him a thumbs up as he headed to set up a couple of jumps. Jack and Nathan both mounted up and warmed up the horses. By the time that they were done, Lee had the jumps set up. Doug and Jack moved off to the side and watched Nathan jump. He let Athena have her head as it was a straightforward combination. Nathan was surprised at how fast she was. Everyone was so focused on watching Nathan and Athena, that they didn't notice that Marco had joined them at the railing. When Nathan finished and rode over, he saw Marco.
"I had to see this for myself." Marco said. "I heard some of the hands talking about you riding Athena and I had to come see for myself."
"She is amazing." Nathan said. "If I say so, I think that she is the best horse that I have ever ridden. Her movement is amazing and I can't believe how she responds to the smallest cues."
"That was all Laura." Marco said. "She was the only one that ever trained that horse. She was amazing with horses."
"She was." Jack said. "I always said she was better than me. I wasn't ashamed to admit it."
Everyone was quiet for a moment as they knew it was hard for Jack to talk about Laura.
"So what do you think?" Marco asked.
"About what?" Nathan asked.
"Riding her at Sugar Creek." Marco said
"I thought you said …." Nathan said.
"I did." Marco said. "But I can also see when there is something special. Sometimes you have to go with something different. I mostly did that so you would push each other."
"I would love to ride her." Nathan said.
"Good." Marco said. "Then you will be riding Athena at Sugar Creek and the show here if you want."
It didn't take Nathan more than a second to realize what Marco was saying.
"Thank you." Nathan said. "I would love that."
"What about us?" Doug asked.
"Who are you riding this weekend?" Marco asked.
"Ghost." Doug said.
"Then work with your two horses." Marco said. "And Jack will work with his two. We still might have a jump off, but I think I might change things. You will jump both your horses to see which one that you will ride. Don't even think of trying to throw it with one horse, I will know."
Marco was looking right at Jack.
"Yes, Sir." Jack said with a grin.
"Good." Marco said. "Now from what I understand, you all have had a long couple of days. I want a light workout and then for you to take it easy for the rest of the day. I expect to see you at the bonfire tonight. Tomorrow, I want a short ride, not jumping and then I will make sure that you have all the tack and things you need for Saturday. Nathan you joining us on the floor?"
"I don't know yet." Nathan said. "We haven't really talked about it."
"Well." Marco said. "Figure it out and let me know. If you are joining us, I want you in riding gear and a Coal Creek jacket or shirt."
"Yes, Sir." Nathan said.
"I will get you a polo." Jack said.
"Very good." Marco said. "See you tonight."
Marco walked away and the four guys walked the horses over to unsaddle them before turning them out.
"Do you want me with you or to stay with Elizabeth?" Nathan asked.
"As long as Elizabeth is okay with Gran." Jack said. "I would like you with me."
"I will be up with them as well." Lee said. "Don't forget your Grandpa John will be there, so there will be another security with him."
"I forgot about that." Jack said. "Nathan?"
"As long as Elizabeth feels comfortable." Nathan said. "I would like to be with you."
"Good." Jack said. "We will talk to her later. Don't let me forget to grab you a polo."
They finished untacking the horses, brushed and turned them out. Jack and Nathan grabbed their clothes as they wanted to wash their riding gear. Jack also stopped by the office and grabbed some polo shirts for Nathan, Doug and Lee. They then headed to the house to get a workout in. They were almost to the back patio when Jack's phone rang. He quickly answered it and stepped away seeing that it was Devin.
("Hey." Devin said. "I got your message and did some checking.")
"What did you find?" Jack asked.
("A couple of things." Devin said. "Do you have a moment to talk?)
"Yes." Jack said. "We just finished riding and were heading to the house to workout."
("Okay." Devin said. "So you are right, there is not a marriage license right now and the earliest one could be issued for a September first wedding is July second. I think Kensington might try to have someone pretend to be Elizabeth.")
"I was thinking that as well." Jack said. "I just don't know what we can do. Dad didn't sound confident."
Hearing that, Nathan took a step closer to Jack, wondering who he was talking to and what was going on. He was still worried about Jack and Elizabeth and he wasn't sure that Thomas was working as hard as he should be to help his son.
("I think I know how to stop Kensington." Devin said.)
"I am listening." Jack said.
("I was talking to my friend in the records department." Devin said.)
Jack motioned for Nathan who stepped closer.
"Devin hold up." Jack said. "Nathan is right here. I want him to hear this as well."
Jack put his phone on speaker and held it up.
"You are now on speaker." Jack said. "Nathan is standing here with me."
"Hi Devin." Nathan said.
("Hey." Devin said. "You doing okay up there?")
"Yes." Nathan said. "So what were you talking about?"
("We are afraid that Kensington may get someone to pretend to be Elizabeth to get a license." Devin said.)
"I thought of that also." Nathan said.
("So a way that we could stop it would be to put an alert on Elizabeth's record." Devin said. "But to do that, we would need to get her fingerprints registered with the state. Then anyone coming in to get a license to a new id would need to verify their identity with a fingerprint to prove that they are Elizabeth.)
"How can we do that?" Jack asked.
("Any police officer can register prints." Devin said.)
"Well the last thing that I want to do is take Elizabeth to the police station." Jack said.
Nathan looked at Jack for a moment.
"I have an idea." Nathan said. "Let me make a call."
Nathan pulled out his phone and stepped away. Jack took his phone off speaker and talked to Devin some more about everything that was going on with his parents, including if he had gotten any closer to finding out what was in the seal records. Jack also wanted to see what Devin could find out about his parents affairs or lack thereof. Jack wanted to wait until Nathan got off the phone to see what he had planned.
"Devin." Jack said. "I don't think Dad is giving this case the attention that it needs."
("I agree." Devin said. "That is why I convinced him to have one of the other attorneys take over things. I told him that he was too close, like when the firm does work for his father, he is hands off unless his father specifically asks for Thomas to work on something. He wasn't happy about it, but he let it go.")
"Who is handling things?" Jack asked.
("I am." Devin said. "I have one of the junior partners helping me.)
"That makes me feel better." Jack said. "I know that you will have my back, no matter what is going on with Ma and Dad."
("Hey." Devin said. "Just because I work for your father, doesn't mean that I agree with the way that he handles things. I got my law degree for a reason. Not only does it help with the security, but that way I can be there as a representative for you on behalf of your father. I know that you are an adult now, but it has come in handy over the years.")
"You are right." Jack said. "So thank you."
Nathan hung up his phone and stepped back over to Jack.
"Devin." Jack said. "Nathan is back, I will put you back on speaker."
("What did you learn?" Devin asked.)
"I called in a favor." Nathan said. "We will get Elizabeth and Jack's fingerprints registered this afternoon."
("Okay." Devin said. "I agree, Jack's should be on file as well. I don't know why I didn't think of that.")
"It is okay." Nathan said. "My friend suggested both, since he was coming out here after lunch."
("Okay." Devin said. "I will let you go. Good luck this weekend, if I don't talk to you before. Oh and Jack that other matter has been taken care of. Everything looks good, you will have paperwork next week.")
"Thanks." Jack said. "Talk to you later. Let me know if you have any more word about Kensington. I would like to see him behind bars."
("You and I both." Devin said. "Right now, they are challenging our findings and trying their best to muddy the waters with other issues. I swear I have never seen one lawyer generate so much meaningless paperwork.")
Both Nathan and Jack laughed.
"Later." Jack said and hung up the phone.
Jack looked at Nathan.
"So what was Devin talking about?" Nathan asked. "What paperwork are you getting?"
"Nothing." Jack said.
"Like I believe that." Nathan said with a laugh.
Jack just looked at him with a full dimpled grin on his face.
"I hope you have a bunch of kids that all have dimples and they use them against you." Nathan said.
"I would love that." Jack said.
Nathan just shook his head, looking at Jack again, he somehow believed that.
"So what did you do?" Jack asked.
"A member of the State Police will be here after lunch." Nathan said. "He will meet with the three of us and take your fingerprints. He will need both yours and Elizabeth's driver's licenses, but otherwise it will be fine."
"Thank you." Jack said. "We will need to warn Elizabeth, I don't want to scare her."
"We can talk to her after our workout." Nathan said.
"Good point." Jack said.